Islamabad:
The Trump administration, through its interim ambassador to Islamabad, has transmitted to Pakistan that the United States would work with him in “search for common objectives” to strengthen the bilateral relationship.
The message was delivered to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif by the Charge d’Affires Natalie Baker, who met him on Tuesday. This was the first official contact between the two parties since President Donald Trump took over the White House a month ago.
While remembered the history of a close cooperation of decades between the two countries, according to an official brochure issued by Prime Minister’s office, Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong desire to work closely with the Trump administration to further strengthen bilateral ties.
The prime minister emphasized the need to improve trade, as well as cooperation in the areas of information technology (IT), agriculture, health, education and energy, among other areas of mutual interest.
He also emphasized the need for both countries to continue their close cooperation in the anti-terrorism domain, in particular, to deal with the threat raised by Daesh and Fitna to the Khawaraj, a term used for the terrorists who belong to the prohibition of Tehreek-E – Talibán Pakistan (TTP).
The American diplomat thanked the prime minister for receiving it and said that the new administration would work with Pakistan in search of common objectives to strengthen the bilateral relationship, according to the official statement.
Pakistan, who was once known as the “most ally” ally of the United States, is no longer a priority for the administration of the United States. While President Trump has already received Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi a few days after his inauguration, he has not yet spoken with Pakistani prime minister.
But Tuesday’s visit from the American diplomat suggested that something could be cooking, otherwise, the prime minister rarely received the head of the diplomatic mission.
Although the Pakistani side expressed its desire to work closely with the Trump administration, Islamabad distrusts certain policies of the new government of the United States. He is particularly concerned with the suspension of the Afghan refugee settlement program since thousands of these Afghan are beaten in Pakistan.
As part of the understanding of the previous Biden administration, Pakistan had agreed to allow thousands of Afghans, who worked for the United States during their campaign in Afghanistan, remain in the country before their resettlement to the United States.
However, the process to transfer such Afghan to the US. UU. It has remained unbearably slow. The Biden administration had agreed to complete the agreement process in September 2025. But President Trump arrested the process for at least 90 days through an executive order.
Pakistan is concerned that at least 25,000 Afghans, who were supposed to be taken to the US, could stay in the country permanently. Islamabad wants the process to be accelerated. The declaration issued by the Prime Minister’s office did not suggest if the problem for discussions arose. But the sources said it was part of the conversation points.
